The World of Gemstones : Brazil

A paradise for gem lovers

In the 1730s, Brazil replaced India as the world’s largest diamond producer. It maintained this position until 1870 when South Africa started its diamond mining activity.

Brazil is a humid, tropical country, and centuries of rain have eroded the majority of diamond pipes, leaving no indication at the surface. As a result, Brazil produces only alluvial diamonds. The kimberlite pipes were discovered in 1968 but, as yet, none of them has been able to produce economically viable quantities of diamonds.

Almost all existing types of stoneon Earth can be found in Brazil, specifically in the region of Ouro Preto in the state of Minas Gerais. Diamonds, of course, but also very beautiful emeralds, some sapphires and rubies, and especially all kinds of beryl (aquamarine, red beryl, etc.), superb imperial topaz and tourmaline, including the famous Paraiba tourmaline which has a fabulous electric blue colour but whose deposits are now almost exhausted. The list goes on.

As in Colombia and elsewhere in the world, access to Brazilian mines is extremely difficult and their production is sent directly for export.

Contact us for a presentation of our stones in our offices in Paris, Antwerp and Geneva !